In a distressing maritime incident on the morning of August 15, 2026, a Sri Lankan Navy Fast Attack Craft (FAC) met with an accident approximately three nautical miles off the coast of Angulana, Moratuwa.
The vessel, a "Dora" class craft, was returning to Colombo following a routine patrol when the incident occurred at approximately 11:40 AM. At the time of the accident, there were 12 naval personnel on board the craft, which suddenly encountered severe difficulties that led to its rapid submersion.
Local residents and the fishing community in the Angulana area were the first to witness the unfolding tragedy. Eyewitnesses reported seeing the vessel collide with a submerged object, resulting in smoke emanating from the craft before it began to sink rapidly. According to observers on the shore, the entire sequence of events—from the moment of impact to the vessel disappearing beneath the surface—transpired in mere minutes. Recognizing the gravity of the situation, the local fishing community did not wait for official rescue teams to arrive. Displaying immense courage, they immediately launched their own fishing boats and navigated toward the site of the wreckage to provide emergency assistance to the crew of the naval craft.
The response from the government was swift once the distress signal was relayed to the authorities. The Angulana Police, in coordination with the Sri Lanka Navy and the Sri Lanka Air Force, launched a massive search and rescue operation. While Navy vessels were deployed to the scene to conduct underwater search efforts, the Air Force provided critical aerial support, deploying Mi-17 and Bell 412 helicopters to survey the area and assist in locating missing personnel. These coordinated efforts, bolstered by the essential support of the local fishing community and residents, succeeded in rescuing 11 of the 12 naval personnel who were on board the ill-fated vessel.
Following their rescue, the 11 sailors were immediately provided with emergency assistance. Eight of the rescued personnel were subsequently admitted to various hospitals, including the Lunawa Hospital, the Kotelawala Defense University Hospital, and the Kalubowila Teaching Hospital, for urgent medical treatment. Despite the success of the rescue operation, one naval sailor remains missing. Authorities and the local community members who assisted in the rescue described the search environment as challenging, noting that the sea conditions off the coast of Angulana were particularly rough at the time of the incident.
Fishermen familiar with the local waters alleged that the accident was caused by the vessel striking a previously sunken ship. Several fishermen emphasized that they had previously reported the existence of this dangerous, submerged hazard to the relevant authorities, noting that it had already caused damage to their fishing nets and smaller boats. They explained that the submerged wreckage is difficult to see until one is directly over it, and because the naval craft was moving at speed, the impact with the hidden structure caused severe damage to the hull, leading to the rapid sinking of the vessel.
As of the latest reports, the search for the one missing naval sailor continues, with the Navy and Air Force intensifying their efforts throughout the afternoon. Navy Spokesperson Commander Chinda Walakuluge said that the exact cause of the crash is currently under investigation.
He said that it is too early to provide a definitive explanation, and a formal inquiry has been initiated to determine the circumstances that led to this unfortunate event.
